[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
As provided by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., an
Environmental Commission is hereby established in and for the Township
of Bernards.
[Ord. 216; Ord. 931; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended; Ord. #2275, 7-29-2014, amended]
The Commission shall consist of seven regular
members, one of whom may be a member of the Planning Board of the
Township. All seven members shall be appointed by the Mayor. The Commission
will yearly recommend one of its members to the Mayor, to serve as
Chair person and presiding officer. Following receipt of such recommendation,
and with the advice of the Township Committee, the Mayor shall designate
one of the members of the Commission to serve as its Chair person
and presiding officer. The term of office of members of the Commission
shall be three years. The term of any member who is also a Planning
Board member shall terminate if and when his term as Planning Board
member shall previously expire. In addition, the Mayor may appoint
two alternate members who shall be designated at the time of appointment
as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The term of office of any
alternate member shall be for two years, except that the terms of
the alternate members first appointed shall be two years for Alternate
No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2. An alternate member may participate
in discussions of all proceedings but may vote only in the absence
or disqualification of a regular member. No vote may be delayed in
order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.
All members shall hold office until their successors shall be appointed
and qualified. Any member may be removed for cause by the Mayor or
Township Committee. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration
of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments
for the unexpired portion of that term only. All members shall serve
without compensation.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Environmental Commission shall have the
power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open
land areas of the Township and may coordinate the activities of unofficial
bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare,
print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which
in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep
an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information
on the proper use of such areas, and may from time to time recommend
to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in a Township
Master Plan and the development and use of such areas.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Environmental Commission may, subject to
the approval of the Township Committee, acquire property, both real
and personal, in the name of the Township, by gift, purchase, grant,
bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer
the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance
or gift. Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser
interest, development right, easement (including conservation easement),
covenant or other contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions
or with limitations or reversions), as may be necessary to acquire,
maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of or otherwise conserve
and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in
the Township.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
a.
Public records. The records and minutes of the Environmental
Commission shall be deemed public records.
b.
Annual report. The Environmental Commission shall
make, keep and preserve minutes and records of its meetings and activities
and shall make an annual report to the Township Committee before the
15th day of January of the succeeding year.
c.
Other reports. Within 10 days after each meeting of
the Environmental Commission, an exact copy of the minutes thereof
shall be filed with the Township Clerk and with the Secretary of the
Planning Board.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Township Committee may appropriate funds
for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. No expense
shall be incurred or contract entered into by the Commission unless
the funds therefor shall have been previously appropriated to the
purpose thereof by the Township Committee, and no obligation shall
be incurred for acquisition unless and until the Township Committee
shall approve and consent to the same and make the appropriation necessary
therefor.
[Ord. #216; Ord. #1304, 5-12-1998, amended]
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other
employees as it may from time to time require and as may be within
the limits of funds appropriated to it.
